Energy & Environmental Management articles from May 2002

Energy & Environmental Management archives from May 2002

Quality of life improving. (News).(UK environment)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Life in Britain is getting better though there is room for improvement in some areas, according to the Government's second annual report into progress on sustainable development. Called `Achieving a better quality of life 2001' the report acts...

Queen's Award winners cover broad spectrum. (News).(Queen's Award for Enterprise in sustainable development)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The Queen's Award for Enterprise this year honoured nine businesses from 165 candidates in its sustainable development category. The achievement of all Queen's Award winners was marked by a celebration in London addressed by HRH The Duke of...

Greenest budget yet. (News).(in UK)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The Chancellor's April Budget was probably the greenest yet, and contained important developments in the areas of transport, energy efficiency, building and energy sources. The Chancellor pledged support for further investment in...

Growing longer.(UK growing season)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... "Climate change must be factored into everyday decisions," said Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett, commenting on the findings of new climate scenarios prepared by the University of East Anglia's Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research...

Efficiency week.
May 1, 2002... The Energy Saving Trust's sixth Energy Efficiency Week runs from 14-20 October. It will be important as it happens in the wake of Tony Blair's appearance at the Earth Summit on Sustainable Development in South Africa. To get involved and...

LPG landmark.(1000th liquefied petroleum gas station opens in the UK)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The country's 1000th LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) filling station in Charlton, South London, was opened by Energy and Industry Minister Brian Wilson and Transport Minister David Jamieson. Wilson announced an `LPG Boost Programme', to provide 1...

Biodiesel tax bonus.(in European Union)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The European Commission has given the green light to the UK's application to continue reduced excise duties on biodiesel and has called on other EU governments to back Britain's move. A new biofuels directive looks like being finalised by the...

Emissions trading auction: success as 34 bidders become world pioneers. (News).(UK Emissions Trading Scheme)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK-ETS), the first of its kind in the world, is finally off the ground. At the opening auction, 34 organisations successfully bid to pledge the highest possible emission reductions in return for a share of the...

Renewables launch. (News).(Community Renewables program in England)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Community Renewables, a new initiative to help schools, offices and housing developments in England play a part in reducing the effects of climate change, has been launched by Brian Wilson, Minister for Energy. The 1.6 million [pounds sterling]...

New EEBPp director. (News).(Energy Efficiency Best Practice program director Garry Felgate)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The Carbon Trust has appointed Garry Felgate as Director of the Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme (EEBPp).The programme is a Government initiative designed to help businesses and organisations cut their energy bills by 10 to 20% through...

New focus for English Partnerships. (News).(brownfield regeneration)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... English Partnerships, the national body responsible for regeneration, has a new remit to focus on brownfield regeneration. It will also manage a national portfolio of strategic sites and demonstration projects and has a new Chair, Margaret...

NETA supports small generators. (News).(new electricity trading arrangements)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... After more than a year's wait, small generators are finally getting a review of the new electricity trading arrangements (NETA). The scheme came under repeated criticism for allegedly being unfair to renewable energy and combined heat and...

Price ceiling threat to electricity suppliers. (News).(new Renewables Obligation)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The new Renewables Obligation, which requires licensed electricity suppliers in England and Wales to provide a specified proportion of their electricity from renewable energy sources in future, has been put before Parliament. It includes a...

Sustainable energy lobby group. (News).(UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy established)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy (UKBCSE) is a new lobby group created to "take forward a progressive business plan for the upcoming `Rio+10' Summit in Johannesburg". Its chairman, Brian Count, Innogy's CEO, has said that this...

Kyoto heads for ratification. (News).(Protocol to the Convention on Climate Change, 1997, in the UK)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The Kyoto Protocol has been laid before Parliament in a first step towards ratification. Making the move, Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett said: "The UK's climate change programme sets out how we will meet this target. We estimate that...

No let-up on gas emissions target. (Environmental News).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2002... Emissions of the `basket' of six greenhouse gases, weighted by global warming potential, fell by 13.2% between the 1990 base year and 2000, according to new figures published by DEFRA. [GRAPHIC OMITTED] The UK has agreed to reduce...

Electric charge. (Environmental News).(environmentally friendly and energy efficient products from UK electronics firms)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Environment Minister Michael Meacher has urged electronics manufacturers to promote more environmentally friendly products and design out inefficient energy features to help the consumer. Around 85% of electricity used by a VCR is consumed...

Strategy role. (Environmental News).(Carbon Trust Director Michael Rea)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Michael Rea (right) has been appointed Director of Strategy for The Carbon Trust. He previously worked as an engagement manager for strategy consultants McKinsey & Co and has experience across a wide range of business sectors.

Petrol emissions.(petrol vapor recovery in the UK at service stations)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Views are invited on a proposal to implement the next stage of petrol vapour recovery in the UK. The installation of stage two equipment in petrol stations will reduce emissions during vehicle refuelling. When drivers fill their tanks,...

Foundation report.(land remediation)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... DEFRA has announced a new approach to the remediation of contaminated land aimed at reducing health risk. The contaminated land exposure assessment (CLEA) model puts health risks at the core of decisions regarding site remediation. New soil...

Green labelling for electricity. (EU News).(fuel mix labeling required)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The European Parliament has voted to make electricity companies tell consumers the exact fuel mix behind the power they sell and the associated pollution and waste. This would include greenhouse gases and nuclear waste. The clause is in the...

Solar flower power. (EU News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The world horticultural show, Floriade 2002, held once every 10 years in the Netherlands, sets the miracle of nature in a knowledge forum for sustainable living. Within a vast park, the world's biggest single solar power roof (main picture)...

France reporting turns green. (EU News).(environmental, social date must be included in financial reports)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... All publicly-quoted companies in France are now required to include environmental and social impact data in their annual financial reports. They will have to provide figures for consumption of energy, water and raw materials, as well as...

Tax regime.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The adoption of a European energy tax regime by the end of the year was agreed by EU Finance Ministers at the Barcelona summit. The summit's conclusions called for "an agreement on the adoption of the energy tax directive" by December, in...

Pollution law.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... New EU rules on ozone pollution, the main component of summer smog, came into force last month. The key requirement is that member states ensure that the WHO ozone standard of 120 micrograms per cubic metre is not exceeded more than 25 times...

100bn [pounds sterling] industry.(eco-industries report)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... A European Commission report by the UK-based consultancy Ecotec estimates that EU eco-industries were worth more than 100billion [pounds sterling] in 1999. They accounted for almost four million jobs, two million of those directly. In the...

Boost for green energy. (Budget News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... As expected, the Chancellor responded to pleas by the green power sector by exempting electricity produced by combined heat and power and coal mine methane from the climate change levy. The Association of Coal Mine Methane Operators had been...

Transport incentives. (Budget News).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2002... The Chancellor's Budget contained many measures to encourage greener transport, but not necessarily to reduce the level of vehicle use. Duty was frozen on all road fuels and road fuel gases, which will reduce duty by about 1 p a litre in...

Building alternatives. (Budget News).(aggregates levy)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The aggregates levy came into effect on 1 April to incorporate environmental costs in the price of virgin aggregates, set at a rate of 1.60 [pounds sterling] per tonne on virgin aggregate. Its purpose is to encourage the use of alternative...

Fair trade makes its mark: Fair trade is about giving the producers of goods a fair deal for their labour. It is a relatively simple matter for those in the catering, hotel and hospitality industries to switch to recognised fair trade products and improve their ethical profile. (Feature).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Fair Trade Fortnight in March saw many successful events held across the country. Fair trade is a much more sustainable method of helping disadvantaged communities around the world than giving aid or charity, and as an economic tool, has...

Winning start for community. (Feature).(Beddington Zero Energy Development project in South London)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The first residents are now moving into a pioneering community in South London. The development is an 82-home environmentally friendly, energy-efficient mix of housing and workspace that aims to be the first `carbon neutral' community. The...

140m [pounds sterling] fund for recycling. (Waste News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... England's 400 local authorities can apply for a slice of a new 140 million [pounds sterling] household waste and recycling fund to help them treble recycling and composting to meet their 25% targets in 2005/6, 21.3 million [pounds sterling] has...

WRAP boost for newsprint. (Waste News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... An additional four million households in Wales, Scotland and the North West of England will soon have their waste newspaper and magazines recycled as a bigger market for it will be created by the expansion of the UK's largest papermill that...

Packaging targets. (Waste News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... In a bid to reduce packaging waste, a new, reduced target for recovery and recycling has been set for 2002--a total of almost five million tonnes. To help meet it, businesses handling more than 50 tonnes of packaging annually and with a 2m...

Looking and listening lighting system: minimising energy loss through excess lighting may be low on some people's priorities. Yet when you consider that lighting makes up 20-30% of the typical energy use in an office, it's surprising that more companies don't put more effort into reducing wasted electricity. (Feature).(Llumarlite's passive infrared technology)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Coutts Bank, the private banking arm of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, certainly thought so, which is why they approached lighting specialists Llumarlite when they refurbished their corporate headquarters on the Strand. They sought a...

The light fantastic: new advances in LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) mean that you should seriously consider them above many other lighting types. (Best Practice).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... A revolution in lighting is quietly happening. It's due to amazing technological advances in a type of light called an LED, or Light Emitting Diode. LEDs already surround us. For many years they have shown us when things are operating,...

Let training be your protection. (Feature).(London Electricity's ECS Training Center)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The training centre which ensured London Electricity powered the capital for half a century has opened its doors to outside clients for the first time. The ECS Training Centre has provided in-house training for 50 years. Now it is offering...

Environmental car labelling. (Transport).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Colour-coded labels for cars containing details of their environmental credentials would give consumers valuable comparative information. The Government is considering a pilot scheme, outlined in a DTLR consultation paper. The labels would...

Tyres face blow-out. (Transport).(EU to ban used tires from landfills)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2002... More than 400,000 tonnes of used tyres are thrown away in the UK each year. More than 30% of these are landfilled. The DTI is seeking advice on how to deal with the `tyre mountain' and meet the demands of the EU Landfill Directive, which will...

No entry to town centres. (Transport).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... In Town Without My Car takes place on Sunday, 22 September, when town and city streets will close to cars and lorries, and open up for people to enjoy walking, cycling, street theatre, live music, dancing, public art and children's play areas....

A space-age system. (Transport).(planned Urban Light Transport, Wales)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The Welsh National Assembly has approved a Transport Grant bid to build an Urban Light Transport system (ULTra) in Cardiff which consists of electrically powered `space age' cabs running on tracks at ground level or on elevated tracks. The...

Rules on deconstructing cars. (Transport).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2002... The Government was hoping to have issued guidelines on recycling used cars before the end of April. Under the EU's end-of-life-vehicle (ELV) law, from 21 April, scrap vehicles must be stripped of all toxic components and manufacturers...

Keeping vehicles cleaner. (Transport).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2002... The US-based non-profit organisation, the Energy Foundation, has released a report outlining principles for achieving cleaner, more efficient road vehicles globally; a total of 43 technical principles for further action by governments and the...

Home energy--systems in sync. (Feature).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Energy inefficiency causes environmental damage but it can be difficult to target budgets in a way that promotes energy efficiency and gives value for money. There are some organisations, such as those responsible for social housing or smaller...

Challenge to the construction industry. (News).(speech by Brian Wilson on energy)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Energy and Industry Minister Brian Wilson took the opportunity of a recent tour of the Integer House in Watford to issue a challenge to the construction industry to integrate renewable energy into buildings. "I want to see the construction...

New standards for eco-homes. (News).(carbon emissions)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2002... A new wide-ranging set of standards introduced by English Partnerships, the national agency for regeneration and development, could cut carbon emissions generated by new homes by up to 30%. If the standards, which have been devised by the...

Greenhouse gas reductions. (News).(Long-Term Reductions in Greenhouse)(Gas Emissions in the UK)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The report Long-Term Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the UK is the result of work by an Inter-departmental Analysts Group (IAG), comprising officials from DTI, DEFRA, DTLR, HM Treasury and the Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU). It...

London's shortfall.(report on renewable energy sources)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... London could generate only up to 2% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2010, according to a new report. "Frankly, we are disappointed," was the reaction of the Minister for London, Nick Raynsford. "There must be ways that London...

215m euros to smarten up.(European Commission's fund to promote)(energy conservation, renewable power)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The European Commission is to provide a 215 million euros fund, a 23% increase over 1998-2002 levels, to promote renewable power and improve energy conservation over the next three years. The `intelligent energy' programme will help finance...

Conference dates. (Resources).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... ET2002 21-23 May, NEC Birmingham. The UK's only environmental forum providing solutions for all businesses--at www.etex-po.co.uk. Creating An All-Energy Future Conference and Exhibition, 28-29 May, Aberdeen. Designed to stimulate...

Help for Welsh firms. (Resources).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The WDA is helping Welsh companies exploit opportunities in the energy industry. More than 30 companies across Wales, including a large number from Pembrokeshire, are participating in the Energy Supply Chain Facilitation Programme. This will...

Sustainable business in the park. (Resources).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Sheffield is setting up a business park specifically for companies dealing in cutting-edge sustainable technologies. Dubbed LIFE-IC, it will be a national resource centre for the development of all new energy technology innovations, a...

Degree days--February & March 2002. (Resources).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
May 1, 2002... Degree Days--February & March 2002 Thames South Southern South Severn Midland Valley Eastern Western Valley 20yr.avg 289 312 298 260 273 ...

Energy targets.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The Regional Renewable Assessments Overview report assesses the potential for renewable energy in all UK regions. Commissioned to help the Government plan for its renewable energy 10% target of electricity from renewable sources by 2010, it...

Good practice.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... A new guide to good practice will help create effective award schemes. The RSA's Forum for Environment and Sustainable Development Awards has published a guide to organising such awards. Further details: www.rsa.org.uldpress/currentprs/...

Digital Europe.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The Digital Europe project is a two-year investigation of whether digital technology will complement or conflict with sustainable development, focusing on implications for resource productivity and transport efficiency. It is supported by a...

Winning for sustainability. (News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The Co-operative Bank, BT and Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council are among the organisations sharing the first awards given by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for Sustainability Reporting in the UK. Their awards...

Finland leads the way. (News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Finland is the most sustainable country in the world with the UK in 98th place, according to a World Economic Forum survey which uses a self-defined Environmental Sustainability Index of indicators

Government office environmental and energy management contacts.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... There are 12 environmental and energy management contacts in government offices who can advise on energy and environmental business support activities in your region. Also contact the Environment and Energy Helpline 0800 585 794 for advice...

Focus on lighting and building energy management: where are we now?(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... No one would argue that light and lighting are not an important and vital element of everyday life but do we light our buildings, whether they be offices, shops of industrial premises, for optimum human performance and energy efficiency? The...

Conserve light energy ... and save: if only the work areas are lit to the required illuminance and the areas in between to a lower value, then savings of 30-40% can be achieved. (focus on lighting and building energy management).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... In the UK the electricity used for lighting amounts to around 20% of the total amount of electricity generated. This in turn produces a carbon emission of approximately 9.5 million tonnes. It is important therefore to design lighting...

Innovation for home lighting: domestic lighting is often the poor relation of the lighting business. David Loe wonders why we are not more interested in seeing home life in a fresh light and looks at innovation that can brighten up the domestic lighting sector. (focus on lighting and building energy management).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The trouble with home lighting is that most rooms are provided with a ceiling rose at the centre of the ceiling, and however the householder dresses this up it will do little to enhance the quality of the interior. To change this requires...

Offices in a new light: office lighting has to respond to the growing complexity of the modern workplace. Paul Littlefair of BRE finds bright prospects for enhancing the office environment. (focus on lighting and building energy management).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... In today's offices, lighting is important for three main reasons: * Productivity--To work effectively, people have to be able to see what they are doing. Working with glare, or in dim lighting, is tiring. Good lighting, and particularly...

Saving energy by degrees. (focus on lighting and building energy management).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... If heating energy--a major contributor to national carbon dioxide emissions--is to be managed effectively and savings made, it is necessary to monitor and analyse usage regularly and to set realistic targets. Heat consumption in buildings...

A virtuous circle with meters. (focus on lighting and building energy management).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Measuring how much energy is used in a building is an energy management essential A new guide to metering in new non-domestic buildings has been compiled to help designers meet the latest Building Regulations. Metering alone does not save...